Electronic disabling device having a non-oscillating output waveform

ABSTRACT

A system and/or an associated method for providing an electronic disabling device with an output having an output waveform other than a sinusoidal waveform (e.g., a non-oscillating output waveform). In one embodiment, the method includes: producing an energy to have a first energy portion with a first polarity and a second energy portion with a second polarity opposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion with the first polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the second energy portion with the second polarity; recycling the second energy portion having the second polarity; and adding the recycled second energy portion back into the pulse having the first polarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse having the first polarity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/359,251, filed Feb. 21, 2006, which claimspriority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/655,145, filed on Feb. 22, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/657,294, filed on Feb. 28, 2005. The entire content in each of theabove-referenced applications is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of an electronicdisabling device for immobilizing a live target. More specifically, thepresent invention is related to an electronic disabling device having anon-oscillating output waveform and a method for providing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An electronic disabling device can be used to refer to an electricaldischarge weapon or a stun gun. The electrical discharge weapon connectsa shocking power to a live target by the use of darts projected withtrailing wires from the electrical discharge weapon. The shocksdebilitate violent suspects, so peace officers can more easily subdueand capture them. The stun gun, by contrast, connects the shocking powerto the live target that are brought into direct contact with the stungun to subdue the target. Electronic disabling devices are far lesslethal than other more conventional weapons such as firearms.

In general, the basic idea of the above described electronic disablingdevices is to disrupt the electric communication system of muscle cellsin a live target. That is, an electronic disabling device generates ahigh-voltage, low-amperage electrical charge. When the charge passesinto the live target's body, it is combined with the electrical signalsfrom the brain of the live target. The brain's original signals aremixed in with random noise, making it very difficult for the musclecells to decipher the original signals. As such, the live target isstunned or temporarily paralyzed. The current of the charge may begenerated with a pulse frequency that mimics a live target's ownelectrical signal to further stun or paralyze the live target.

To dump this high-voltage, low-amperage electrical charge, theelectronic disabling device includes a shock circuit having multipletransformers and/or autoformers that boost the voltage in the circuitand/or reduce the amperage. The shock circuit may also include anoscillator to produce a specific pulse pattern of electricity and/orfrequency.

Current electronic disabling devices take the lower voltage, highercurrent of a battery or batteries and convert it into a higher voltage,lower current output. This output must contact an individual in twoplaces to create a full path for the energy to flow. For stun guns, thisoutput is provided to two metal contacts on the contacting side of thedevice that are a short distance apart. On the electronic dischargeweapons, this output is provided to two metal darts (or probes) that arepropelled into the live target (or individual). The distance between theprobes is normally larger than the stun gun contacts to allow for agreater effect of the live target. The metal probes are connected to theelectrical circuitry in the device by thin conducting wires that carrythe energy from/to the device and from/to the metal probes.

Typically, an electronic disabling device produces an output having anoscillating or sinusoidal output waveform with positive and negativeamplitudes in the one output waveform as shown in FIG. 1. This indicatesthat the electrons will first flow in a first (e.g., positive)direction, and a substantial number of the electrons will then flow in asecond, opposite (e.g., negative) direction. That is, the negative (oropposite) amplitude in the sinusoidal output waveform shown in FIG. 1 ismainly caused by the electrons flowing in the opposite direction for apart of the cycle of the waveform. Therefore, a larger than necessaryamount of electrons flowing in the opposite direction may be used on aperson that could have been sufficiently immobilized by the electronsflowing in the first direction.

In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to create an electronicdisabling device for immobilization and capture of a live target havinga non-oscillating pulse output waveform as shown in FIG. 2 and/or havingan output waveform other than a non-oscillating or sinusoidal outputwaveform (or a non-sinusoidal output waveform) as, e.g., shown in FIGS.2 and 10. In addition, it would be desirable to provide an electronicdisabling device that can selectively apply an oscillating or sinusoidaloutput waveform and a non-oscillating waveform such that the electronicdisabling device does not apply an output waveform to a live target thatmight possibly be unsafe to that particular individual.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is directed toward a system and/or anassociated method for providing an electronic disabling device with anoutput having an output waveform other than an oscillating or sinusoidalwaveform (e.g., a non-oscillating (or non-sinusoidal output waveform)and/or for providing the electronic disabling device that canselectively apply the non-oscillating output waveform and a sinusoidaloutput waveform in one device package. This would allow a user of theelectronic disabling device to start with the non-oscillating outputwaveform and if the non-oscillating output wave was not effective,change to the sinusoidal output waveform. This adds a level of safetysuch that the user does not apply an output waveform to a live targetthat might possibly be unsafe to that particular individual.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electronicdisabling device for producing a non-sinusoidal output waveform toimmobilize a live target is provided. The electronic disabling deviceincludes a battery, a power supply, a final step-up transformer, a firstelectrical output contact, a second electrical output contact, and abridge rectifier. The power supply is coupled to receive an initialpower from the battery. The final step-up transformer is adapted toprovide an output power having the non-sinusoidal output waveform. Thefirst electrical output contact is coupled to receive the output powerhaving the non-sinusoidal output waveform from the final step-uptransformer. The second electrical output contact is coupled to receivethe output power having the non-sinusoidal output waveform from thefirst electrical output through the live target. In addition, the bridgerectifier is coupled between the initial step-up voltage circuit and thefinal step-up transformer to produce the non-sinusoidal output waveform.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method providesan electronic disabling device with a non-sinusoidal output waveform toimmobilize a live target. The method includes: providing an input powerfrom a battery to a power supply; stepping-up a voltage of the inputpower through the power supply; rectifying and transforming the inputpower to an output power through a bridge rectifier and a final step-uptransformer to produce the non-sinusoidal output waveform; and providingthe output power having the non-sinusoidal output waveform to anelectrical output contact.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method providesan electronic disabling device with an output waveform to immobilize alive target. The method includes: selecting a non-oscillating waveformor a sinusoidal waveform as the output waveform of the electronicdisabling device; providing an input power from a battery to a powersupply; stepping-up a voltage of the input power through the powersupply; rectifying and transforming the input power to an output powerthrough a bridge rectifier and a final step-up transformer to producethe selected output waveform; and providing the output power having theselected output waveform to an electrical output contact.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method producesa non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device toimmobilize a live target. The method includes: providing an energy froma battery to a power supply to provide the energy with a first energyportion having a first polarity and a second energy portion having asecond polarity opposite the first polarity; charging the first energyportion having the first polarity into a high voltage capacitor toproduce the non-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having thefirst polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being chargedby the second energy portion having the second polarity; recycling thesecond energy portion having the second polarity; and adding therecycled second energy portion back into the pulse having the firstpolarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse having thefirst polarity.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method producesa non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device toimmobilize a live target. The method includes: producing an energy tohave a first energy portion with a first polarity and a second energyportion with a second polarity opposite the first polarity; charging thefirst energy portion with the first polarity into a high voltagecapacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with a pulsehaving the first polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitor frombeing charged by the second energy portion with the second polarity;recycling the second energy portion having the second polarity; andadding the recycled second energy portion back into the pulse having thefirst polarity to produce an increase in pulse width of the pulse havingthe first polarity.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method producesa non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device toimmobilize a live target. The method includes: providing an energy froma battery to a power supply to provide the energy with a positivepolarity energy portion and a negative polarity energy portion; chargingthe negative polarity energy portion into a high voltage capacitor toproduce the non-oscillating output waveform with a positive polaritypulse; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by thenegative polarity energy portion through a full-wave bridge rectifierelectrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltagecapacitor; recycling the negative polarity energy portion through thefull-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between the power supplyand the high voltage capacitor; and adding the recycled energy portionback into the positive polarity pulse through the full-wave bridgerectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the highvoltage capacitor to produce an increase in pulse width of the positivepolarity pulse.

A more complete understanding of the electronic disabling device havinga non-sinusoidal or non-oscillating output waveform will be afforded tothose skilled in the art and by a consideration of the followingdetailed description. Reference will be made to the appended sheets ofdrawings which will first be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, together with the specification, illustrateexemplary embodiments of the present invention, and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary sinusoidal output waveform.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary non-oscillating output waveform.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device using arelaxation oscillator.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device using anindependently driven oscillator.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device forproducing a sinusoidal output waveform.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device forproducing a non-oscillating output waveform.

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary electronic disabling device forproducing a non-oscillating output waveform.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary electronic disabling device forproducing a sinusoidal output waveform and a non-oscillating outputwaveform.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary non-sinusoidal output waveform having amain uni-polar half-cycle pulse followed by an opposite polaritysecondary uni-polar half-cycle pulse.

FIG. 11 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μSblock) produced by the circuit shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No.5,193,048.

FIG. 12 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μSblock) produced by a circuit similar to the circuit shown in FIG. 5 ofU.S. Pat. No. 5,193,048 with the pair of diodes (i.e., diodes D4 and D5)removed.

FIG. 13 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μSblock) produced by a circuit built with a full-wave bridge diode circuitas shown in FIG. 8 and pursuant to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram on a method of producing a non-oscillatingoutput waveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a livetarget pursuant to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, only certain exemplaryembodiments of the present invention are shown and described, by way ofillustration. As those skilled in the art would recognize, the describedexemplary embodiments may be modified in various ways, all withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature, and not restrictive.

There may be parts shown in the drawings, or parts not shown in thedrawings, that are not discussed in the specification as they are notessential to a complete understanding of the invention. Like referencenumerals designate like elements.

Referring to FIG. 3, an example of an electronic disabling device isshown to include a battery 10, an initial step-up voltage circuit 20, atrigger (not shown), a final step-up transformer 30, a firstelectrically conductive output contact (or probe) 50, and a secondelectrically conductive output contact (or probe) 60. Each of thecontacts 50, 60 can be connected to the housing of the electronicdisabling device by electrically conductive wires.

In operation, an electrical charge which travels into the contact 50 isactivated by squeezing the trigger. The power for the electrical chargeis provided by the battery 10. That is, when the trigger is turned on,it allows the power to travel to the initial step-up voltage circuit 20.The initial step-up voltage circuit 20 includes a first transformer thatreceives electricity from the battery 10 and causes a predeterminedamount of voltage to be transmitted to and stored in a storagecapacitor. Once the storage capacitor stores the predetermined amount ofvoltage, it is able to discharge an electrical pulse into the finalstep-up transformer 30 (e.g., a second transformer and/or autoformer).The output from the final step-up transformer 30 then goes into thefirst contact 50. When the first and second contacts 50, 60 contact alive target, charges from the first contact 50 travel into tissue in thetarget's body, then through the tissue into the second contact 60, andthen to a ground. Pulses are delivered from the first contact 50 intotarget's tissue for a predetermined number of seconds. The pulses causecontraction of skeletal muscles and make the muscles inoperable, therebypreventing use of the muscles in locomotion of the target.

In one embodiment, the shock pulses from an electronic disabling devicecan be generated by an oscillator such as a classic relaxationoscillator that produces distorted saw-tooth pulses. An electronicdisabling device having the relaxation oscillator is shown as FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, power is supplied to the relaxation oscillator froma battery source 160. The closure of a switch SW1 connects the batterysource 160 with an inverter transformer TI. In FIG. 4, a tickler coil110 of the inverter transformer T1 between PAD1 and PAD2 is used to formthe classic relaxation oscillator. A primary coil 100 of the invertertransformer T1 is connected between PAD3 and PAD4. Upon closure of thepower switch SW1, the primary coil 100 of the inverter transformer T1 isenergized as a current flows through the coil 100 from PAD3 to PAD4 asthe power transistor Q1 is turned ON. The tickler coil 110 of theinverter transformer T1 is energized upon closure of the power switchSW1 through a resistor R8 and a diode D3. The current through thetickler coil 110 also forms the base current of the power transistor Q1,thus causing it to turn ON. Since the tickler coil 110 and the primarycoil 100 of the inverter transformer T1 oppose one another, the currentthrough power transistor Q1 causes a flux in the inverter transformer T1to, in effect, backdrive the tickler coil 110 and cut off the powertransistor Q1 base current, thus causing it to turn OFF and forming therelaxation oscillator.

In addition, a secondary coil 120 of the inverter transformer T1 betweenPAD5 and PAD6 is connected to a pair of diodes D4 and D5 that form ahalf-wave rectifier. The pair of diodes D4 and D5 are then seriallyconnected with a spark gap 130 and then with a primary coil 140 of theoutput transformer T2. The primary coil 140 of the output transformer T2is connected between PAD7 and PAD8. The spark gap 130 is selected tohave particular ionization characteristics tailored to a specific sparkgap breakover voltage to “tune” the output of the shock circuit.

In more detail, when sufficient energy is charged on a storagecapacitor, a gas gap breaks down on the spark gap 130 such that thespark gap 130 begins to conduct electricity. This energy is then passedthrough the primary coil 140 of output or step-up transformer T2, whichtypically has a turn ratio of 1:35 to 1:37 primary coil 140 to secondarycoil 150.

However, the present invention is not limited to the above describedexemplary oscillator embodiment. For example, an embodiment of anelectronic disabling device can include a digital oscillator coupled todigitally generate switching signals or an independent oscillator 210 asshown in FIG. 5.

In the disabling device of FIG. 5, a power is supplied from a batterysource 230 to an inverter transformer TI′. In FIG. 5, a primary coil 240of the inverter transformer T1′ is connected between PAD10 and PAD11. Apower switch 250 is connected between the inverter transformer T1′ and aground. The power switch 250 (or a base or a gate of the power switch250) is also connected to the independent oscillator 210.

In more detail, the primary coil 240 of the inverter transformer T1′ isenergized as current flows through the coil 240 from PAD10 to PAD11 asthe switch (or transistor) 250 is turned ON. The independent oscillator210 is coupled to the switch 250 (e.g., at the base or the gate of theswitch 250) to turn the switch 250 ON and OFF. A secondary coil 260 ofthe inverter transformer T1′ between PAD12 and PAD13 is connected to afull-wave rectifier 270. The full-wave rectifier 270 is then seriallyconnected with a spark gap 280 and then with a primary coil 290 of theoutput transformer T2′. The primary coil 290 of the output transformerT2′ is connected between PAD14 and PAD15.

In operation, the oscillator 210 creates a periodic output that variesfrom a positive voltage (V+) to a ground voltage. This periodic waveformcreates the drive function that causes current to flow through theprimary coil 240 of the transformer T1′. This current flow causescurrent to flow in the secondary coil 260 of the transformer T1′ basedon the turn ratio of the transformer T1′. A power current from thebattery source 230 then flows in the primary coil 240 of the transformerT1′ only when the switch 250 is turned on and is in the process ofconducting. The full wave bridge rectifier 270 then rectifies thevoltage from the power source 230 when the switch 250 is caused toconduct.

In view of the foregoing, electronic disabling devices with high poweredsinusoidal output waveforms can be formed. However, the propriety offorming weapons capable of producing such high powered sinusoidal outputwaveforms may be in question because the sinusoidal output waveforms mayincrease the weapons lethality, especially where a circuit operating atan output waveform other than an sinusoidal output waveform (e.g., anon-oscillating output waveform) can completely disable most testsubjects. In addition, some seventy deaths have occurred proximate touse of such weapons. As such, using these weapons at only sinusoidaloutput waveforms may run contrary to the idea that electronic disablingdevices are intended to subdue and capture live targets withoutseriously injuring them.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an electronicdisabling device produces an output waveform other than a sinusoidaloutput waveform (e.g., a non-oscillating output waveform) and/or canselectively apply the non-oscillating output waveform and a sinusoidaloutput waveform in one device package. This would allow a user of theelectronic disabling device to start with the non-oscillating outputwaveform and if the non-oscillating output wave was not effective,change to the sinusoidal output waveform. This adds a level of safetysuch that the user does not apply an output waveform to a live targetthat might possibly be unsafe to that particular individual.

FIG. 6 shows a view into an initial step-up circuit of an electronicdisabling device connected with a final step-up transformer of theelectronic disabling device. The initial step-up circuit includes apower supply 585 having an oscillator (e.g., the oscillator shown inFIGS. 4 or 5 for providing a pulse rate), a bridge rectifier 580, aspark gap SG1, and a storage capacitor C1. Here, the storage capacitorC1 is connected to a primary coil 570 of the final step-up transformerin series, and the spark gap SG1 is connected to the storage capacitorC1 and the primary coil 570 in parallel. As such, the spark gap SG1 andthe storage capacitor C1 are positioned to provide a sinusoidal outputwaveform as shown in FIG. 1.

In more detail, an energy from the bridge rectifier 580 of the initialstep-up voltage circuit (e.g., a full-wave bridge rectifier circuithaving at least four diodes) is initially used to charge up one plate ofthe storage capacitor C1. The spark gap SG1 fires whenever the voltageof the storage capacitor C1 reaches a fixed breakdown voltage of thespark gap SG1, and the stored energy discharges through the primary coil570. In addition, because the storage capacitor C1 and the primary coil570 are connected to create a tank circuit, as the capacitor C1discharges, the primary coil 570 will try to keep the current in thecircuit moving, so it will charge up the other plate of the capacitorC1. Once the field of the primary coil 570 collapses, the capacitor C1has been recharged (but with the opposite polarity), so it dischargesagain through the primary coil 570. As such, the sinusoidal outputwaveform as shown in FIG. 1 is provided by the electronic disablingdevice of FIG. 6.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 7, an electronic disabling device inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes abattery 610, an initial step-up voltage circuit 620, a trigger (notshown), a final step-up transformer 630, a first electrically conductiveoutput contact (or probe) 650, and a second electrically conductiveoutput contact (or probe) 660. Also, in FIG. 7, the initial step-upcircuit includes a spark gap SG1′, a storage capacitor C1′, a powersupply 685 having an oscillator, and a bridge rectifier 680. Here, thespark gap SG1′ is connected to a primary coil 670 of the final step-uptransformer 670 in series, and the storage capacitor C1′ is connected tothe spark gap SG1′ and the primary coil 670 in parallel. As such, thespark gap SG1′ and the storage capacitor C1′ are positioned to providethe non-oscillating output waveform as shown in FIG. 2.

In more detail, the spark gap SG1′ and the storage capacitor C1′ of FIG.7 are positionally switched as compared to the spark gap SG1 and thestorage capacitor C1 to remove the tank circuit and to produce thenon-oscillating output waveform as shown in FIG. 2. As such, theelectronic disabling device of FIG. 7 produces a mostly positive pulsewaveform or a mostly negative pulse waveform. Also, this indicates thatelectrons flow mainly in one direction with fewer electrons flowing inthe opposite direction. That is, as described above, the oppositeamplitude in the sinusoidal output waveform of FIG. 1 is caused by theelectrons flowing in the opposite direction for part of the cycle.

Referring to FIG. 8, an electronic disabling device according to a morespecific embodiment of the present invention includes a secondary coil625′ of an initial step-up voltage circuit 620. The secondary coil 625′is connected to a first pair of diodes D2 and D4 and a second pair ofdiodes D1 and D3. The first and second pairs of diodes D1, D2, D3, andD4 form a full-wave rectifier 680′. The bridge rectifier 680′ is thenserially connected with a spark gap SG1″ and then a primary coil 670′ ofa final step-up transformer 630′. Here, a resistor R1 and a capacitorC1″ are also connected to the spark gap SG1″ and the primary coil 670′in parallel. As such, the bridge rectifier 680′, the spark gap SG1″ andthe storage capacitor C1″ are positioned to provide the non-oscillatingoutput waveform as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 9, an electronic disabling device in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention includes a battery 710, apower supply 785, a bridge rectifier circuit 780, a primary coil 770 ofa final step-up transformer, and a control logic 790. In addition, theelectronic disabling device of FIG. 9 includes a spark gap SG, a storagecapacitor C, first electrical switching devices U1 and U3, and secondelectrical switching devices U2 and U4 to allow on-the-fly changing ofthe output waveform. That is, the electronic disabling device of FIG. 9outputs the sinusoidal output waveform (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1) whenthe first electrical switching devices U1 and U3 are switched on (tocreate a closed circuit) and the second electrical switching devices U2and U4 are switched off (to create an opened circuit). By contrast, theelectronic disabling device of FIG. 9 outputs the non-oscillating outputwaveform (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2) when the first switching devices U1and U3 are switched off and the second switching devices U2 and U4 areswitched on.

In more detail, when the first electrical switching devices U1 and U3are switched on (i.e., closed) and the second electrical switchingdevices U2 and U4 are switched off (i.e., opened), the device of FIG. 9has a configuration that is substantially the same as the device shownin FIG. 7. That is, the spark gap SG1 is connected to the primary coil770 in series, and the storage capacitor C is connected to the spark gapSG and the primary coil 770 in parallel to provide the non-oscillatingoutput waveform. By contrast, when the second electrical switchingdevices U2 and U4 are switched on (i.e., closed) and the firstelectrical switching devices U1 and U3 are switched off (i.e., opened),the device of FIG. 9 has a configuration that is substantially the sameas the device shown in FIG. 6. That is, the storage capacitor C isconnected to the primary coil 770 in series, and the spark gap SG isconnected to the storage capacitor C and the primary coil 770 inparallel to provide the sinusoidal output waveform. In FIG. 9, thecontrol logic 790 is added to control the switching devices U1, U2, U3,and U4 to allow a control input from a user. This control logic 790would also provide an input to the power supply 785 including anoscillator to keep the same output pulse rate. As such, the electronicdisabling device of FIG. 9 can selectively apply the non-oscillatingoutput waveform and the sinusoidal output waveform in one devicepackage.

FIG. 10 shows another output waveform other than a sinusoidal outputwaveform according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, theoutput waveform of FIG. 10 includes a first (or main) uni-polarhalf-cycle pulse followed by an opposite polarity second (or secondary)uni-polar half-cycle pulse. That is, the entire output waveform of FIG.10 has a first (or peak) amplitude A₁ and a second amplitude A₂ havingan opposite polarity with the first amplitude A₁. The second amplitudeA₂ has an amplitude that is equal to or less (i.e., not greater) than 25percent of the first (or peak) amplitude A₁. In FIG. 10, the firstamplitude A₁ can be a positive voltage amplitude or a negative voltageamplitude as long as the second amplitude A₂ oscillates in the oppositepolarity at an amplitude not greater than 25 percent of the first (orpeak) amplitude A₁.

The output waveform of FIG. 10 can be formed by removing 75 percent ormore of the amplitude opposite the peak amplitude. By removing more than75 percent of peak opposite amplitude from the waveform, a mostlypositive or mostly negative half-cycle waveform is formed. Furthermore,this indicates that electrons flow mainly in one direction with fewerelectrons flowing in the opposite direction. This is because, referringnow also to FIG. 1, the opposite amplitude in the sinusoidal pulseoutput waveform is caused mainly by the electrons flowing in theopposite direction for a part of the cycle of the sinusoidal pulseoutput waveform.

In one embodiment, the first (or peak) amplitude A₁ is at positive 620volts and the second amplitude A₂ is at 40 volts to produce a half-cycleuni-pulse output waveform with an opposite polarity of about 7 percent.

In view of the foregoing, an electronic disabling device according to anembodiment of the present invention utilizes a rectifier and a non-tankcircuit to produce a non-oscillating output waveform. Here, the majorityof electrons traveling in the opposite polarity of the peak amplitudeare in essence filtered or redirected

Further, an electronic disabling device according to another embodimentof the present invention can selectively apply a non-oscillating outputwaveform and a sinusoidal output waveform in one device package. Thiswould allow a user of the electronic disabling device to start with thenon-oscillating output waveform and if the non-oscillating output wavewas not effective, change to the sinusoidal output waveform.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, an electronic disabling deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention outputs: (1) ahalf-cycle uni-polar pulse, followed by a slow uni-polar pulse of theopposite polarity; (2) a half-cycle uni-polar pulse waveform in whichamplitude oscillates to peak in one direction and exhibits a uni-polarpulse of the opposite polarity with less than 25% of the peak amplitude;(3) a half-cycle uni-polar pulse, followed by a slow uni-polar pulse ofthe opposite polarity through a 1000 OHM load to produce a total pulsewidth between 3 and 50 micro seconds, a peak voltage between 2000 and20000 volts, between 5-25 pulses per second, between 0.05 and 1 wattcontained in a single pulse peak amplitude (joules per pulse), orbetween 1 and 20 watts per second (joules); or (4) a non-oscillatingthat does not have a uni-polar pulse of the opposite polarity (e.g., asshown in FIG. 2) with a total pulse width between 3 and 50 microseconds, a peak voltage between 2000 and 20000 volts, between 5-25pulses per second, between 0.05 and 1 watt contained in a single pulsepeak amplitude (joules per pulse), or between 1 and 20 watts per second(joules).

In view of the foregoing, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides an electronic disabling device that produces a non-oscillating,increased pulse width, non opposite polarity output waveform toimmobilize a live target. Here, the electronic disabling device includesa battery, an initial step-up transformer (e.g., 620′ in FIG. 8) coupledto receive an initial power from the battery, having one output directlycoupled between two switching devices, and a second output directlycoupled between an additional two switching devices, and a spark gapdirectly coupled to a first input of a second step-up transformer (finalstep-up transformer), in parallel with a high voltage (HV) capacitorthat is directly coupled to a second input of the second (or final)step-up transformer (e.g., 630′ in FIG. 8).

The non-oscillating, increased pulse width, non opposite polarity outputwaveform produced by the above described disabling device and pursuantto an embodiment of the present invention is described in more detailwith reference to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 as follows.

FIG. 11 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μSblock) produced by the circuit shown in FIG. 5 of U.S. Pat. No.5,193,048, the entire content of which is incorporated herein byreference. Here, the output waveform has a positive pulse width (Delta)of 4.5 μS and shows that the circuit just clamps or blocks the negativecycle from passing through as the output waveform.

FIG. 12 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μSblock) produced by a circuit similar to the circuit shown in FIG. 5 ofU.S. Pat. No. 5,193,048 with the pair of diodes (i.e., diodes D4 and D5)removed. The first part of the sine wave produced is the same as thepulse produced in FIG. 11 with a positive pulse width (Delta) of 4.5 μS.Therefore, as can be derived from FIGS. 11 and 12, the pair of diodes D4and D5 appears to only remove the negative pulse and ringing.

FIG. 13 shows an output waveform in voltage (200V block) versus time (μSblock) produced by a circuit built with a full-wave bridge diode circuitas shown in FIG. 8 and pursuant to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Here, it is shown that the circuit in FIG. 8 does not blockthe negative part of the waveform from being recycled (recovered) andthen utilizing the recovered energy by converting it to positive energyand passing it with the initial pulse. That is, the output waveform asshown in FIG. 13 with the full-wave bridge diode circuit (e.g., thefull-wave bridge rectifier 680′ unexpectedly results in a positive pulsewidth (Delta) of 13.4 μS, which is about three times wider than theoutput waveform shown in FIG. 11.

Here, Joule output at 19 HZ of the output waveform shown in FIG. 11 is5.47, and Joule output at 19 HZ of the output waveform shown in FIG. 13is 15.49. The increased Joule output is desired for the following tworeasons. First it allows for much smaller electronics such ascapacitors, output transformers, and spark gaps. By stretching the pulsewidth the electronic disabling device can use a much lower voltage.Lower voltage electronics are much smaller. This will allow for a muchsmaller end product. Second, smaller components or components withsmaller voltage ratings are much cheaper and more readily available tothe industry, thus providing cost benefits for both the manufacturer andend user.

The operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 8 pursuant to an embodimentof the present invention is described in more detail as follows.

Referring now back to FIG. 8, the full wave diode bridge 620′ across thehigh voltage (HV) capacitor C1″ blocks (or prevents) the HV capacitorC1″ from recharging in the opposite direction. As such, the full wavebridge rectifier 620′ recycles the negative energy and adds it to thepositive pulse shown, e.g., in FIG. 13. The full wave bridge rectifier620′ causes the flow to lock-up in the reverse direction producing anexponential decay of current and produces a DC like increased pulsewidth on the output waveform (see FIG. 13) produced by the circuit shownin FIG. 8. That is and referring now also to FIG. 13, at time Stop, thefull bridge rectifier 620′ across the capacitor C1″ will not allow thecapacitor C1″ to recharge in the opposite direction from the revisedcurrent, and causes the flow to lock-up in the reverse directionproducing the exponential decay of current and produces the DC likeincreased pulse width on the output waveform (see FIG. 13). Theexponential decay of current is represented as e^(−t/T), where the timeconstant T=L/R and where L is the inductance of the primary coil 670′and the secondary coil 625′ and R is the primary resistance, thesecondary resistance (transformed) and core losses.

As such and in view of the foregoing, a method according to anembodiment of the present invention produces a non-oscillating outputwaveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a livetarget. The method includes: providing an energy from a battery to apower supply to provide the energy with a first energy portion having afirst polarity and a second energy portion having a second polarityopposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion havingthe first polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce thenon-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first polarity;blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the secondenergy portion having the second polarity; recycling the second energyportion having the second polarity; and adding the recycled secondenergy portion back into the pulse having the first polarity to producean increase in pulse width of the pulse having the first polarity.

A method according to another embodiment of the present inventionproduces a non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disablingdevice to immobilize a live target. The method includes: producing anenergy to have a first energy portion with a first polarity and a secondenergy portion with a second polarity opposite the first polarity;charging the first energy portion with the first polarity into a highvoltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with apulse having the first polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitorfrom being charged by the second energy portion with the secondpolarity; recycling the second energy portion having the secondpolarity; and adding the recycled second energy portion back into thepulse having the first polarity to produce an increase in pulse width ofthe pulse having the first polarity.

A method according to yet another embodiment of the present inventionproduces a non-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disablingdevice to immobilize a live target. The method includes: providing anenergy from a battery to a power supply to provide the energy with apositive polarity energy portion and a negative polarity energy portion;charging the negative polarity energy portion into a high voltagecapacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with a positivepolarity pulse; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being chargedby the negative polarity energy portion through a full-wave bridgerectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the highvoltage capacitor; recycling the negative polarity energy portionthrough the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between thepower supply and the high voltage capacitor; and adding the recycledenergy portion back into the positive polarity pulse electricallycoupled between the power supply and the high voltage capacitor toproduce an increase in pulse width of the positive polarity pulse.

In more detail and as illustrated in FIG. 14, an embodiment of thepresent invention provides a method of producing a non-oscillatingoutput waveform from an electronic disabling device to immobilize a livetarget. In step 310 of the method, an energy is provided from a batteryto a power supply to provide the energy with a positive polarity energyportion and a negative polarity energy portion. The negative polarityenergy portion is charged into a high voltage capacitor to produce thenon-oscillating output waveform with a positive polarity pulse in step320. The high voltage capacitor is blocked from being charged by thenegative polarity energy portion through a full-wave bridge rectifierelectrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltagecapacitor in step 330. The negative polarity energy portion is recycledthrough the full-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between thepower supply and the high voltage capacitor in Step 340. Then, in step350 of the method, the recycled energy portion is added back into thepositive polarity pulse through the full-wave bridge rectifierelectrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltagecapacitor to produce an increase in pulse width of the positive polaritypulse.

While the invention has been described in connection with certainexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood by those skilled in theart that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but,on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications includedwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims and equivalentsthereof.

1. A method of producing a non-oscillating output waveform from anelectronic disabling device to immobilize a live target, the methodcomprising: producing an energy to have a first energy portion with afirst polarity and a second energy portion with a second polarityopposite the first polarity; charging the first energy portion with thefirst polarity into a high voltage capacitor to produce thenon-oscillating output waveform with a pulse having the first polarity;blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by the secondenergy portion with the second polarity; recycling the second energyportion having the second polarity; and adding the recycled secondenergy portion back into the pulse having the first polarity to producean increase in pulse width of the pulse having the first polarity.
 2. Amethod of producing a non-oscillating output waveform from an electronicdisabling device to immobilize a live target, the method comprising:providing an energy from a battery to a power supply to provide theenergy with a first energy portion having a first polarity and a secondenergy portion having a second polarity opposite the first polarity;charging the first energy portion having the first polarity into a highvoltage capacitor to produce the non-oscillating output waveform with apulse having the first polarity; blocking the high voltage capacitorfrom being charged by the second energy portion having the secondpolarity; recycling the second energy portion having the secondpolarity; and adding the recycled second energy portion back into thepulse having the first polarity to produce an increase in pulse width ofthe pulse having the first polarity.
 3. A method of producing anon-oscillating output waveform from an electronic disabling device toimmobilize a live target, the method comprising: providing an energyfrom a battery to a power supply to provide the energy with a positivepolarity energy portion and a negative polarity energy portion; chargingthe negative polarity energy portion into a high voltage capacitor toproduce the non-oscillating output waveform with a positive polaritypulse; blocking the high voltage capacitor from being charged by thenegative polarity energy portion through a full-wave bridge rectifierelectrically coupled between the power supply and the high voltagecapacitor; recycling the negative polarity energy portion through thefull-wave bridge rectifier electrically coupled between the power supplyand the high voltage capacitor; and adding the recycled energy portionback into the positive polarity pulse through the full-wave bridgerectifier electrically coupled between the power supply and the highvoltage capacitor to produce an increase in pulse width of the positivepolarity pulse.